Paparazzi photographs of Socialist presidential hopeful Segolene Royal in a turquoise bikini have raised eyebrows in France and underlined the spread of celebrity culture into France's traditionally sober political coverage.
I'm shocked -- shocked! I tell you! -- that this woman has a body beneath her usual business suits!

This week's edition of celebrity magazine "Closer" included a cover picture of Royal on holiday in bathing suit, cap and sunglasses as part of a survey of "50 stars at the beach."

Its rival VSD followed up with a similar photo of Royal juxtaposed with a picture of Nicolas Sarkozy, the conservative she may well face in next year's presidential election, jogging on the beach over the headline: "Duel in the sun."
Of course, is anybody fussing over Mr. Sarkozy's appearance in non-business attire? No, but--

Former Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin last year threatened legal action against Paris Match for unauthorized pictures of himself on holiday in bathing trunks.It seems that France is not for lovers if they run for office. Better they pose with a guillotine? Or perhaps a line of police wearing riot gear?